Circular-knitting machine.



I W. E. SMITH.

CiRCULAR KNITTING MACHlNE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2, 1914.

Patented July 13, 1915.

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W. E. SMITH.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1914.

1,145,930. Patented July 13, 1915.

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8 WITNESSES W. E. SWHTHe CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILEDJULY 2, 1914.

Mu 1 v m W M\Fl@h W ,4 TTOR/VEYS Patented July 13, 1915.

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- sinkers;

UMTE' TA Es WILLIAM E. SMITH, OF MILLTOWN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TOKILBO'URlT MANUFAC- TUBING CORPORATION, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY, A-CORPORATION 615 NEW JERSEY.

CIBCULAR KNITTING MACEIM.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed .l'uly 2', 131% Serial No. 848,528.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 71LLIAM E. Sarrrn,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Milltown, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements Circular- Knitting Machines; and I do hereby declare .thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others, skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.-

h/ly invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described,reference being had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate oneembodiment of my invention selected by me for purposes of illus tration,and the said invention is fully disclosed in "the following descriptionand claims. a 1

Referring tothe said drawings, Figure 1 represents a vertical sectionalview of the needle cylinder and needle actuating cams of'a circularknitting machine of the Well known Kilbourn type, having my present Fig.2 is a bottom planviewof the inner and outer cam rings for actuating theweb holders-or Fig; 3 is a detail SECtlIOIIrIl'VIGW of the said camrings, showing the relation of the sinkers thereto, .Fig. ii is a detailview of one/of the sinkers lying adjacent to the needles knitting thefront portion of the legend top of the foot of the stocking. Fig. 5 isasimilar viewshowing one of the sinket'sv used adjacent-to the needlesknittingthe back portion of the leg, the sole, and the heel and toepockets. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the sinker actuating cam ringsvshowing the rings partly broken away, and

illustrating a few of the sinkers in position in the grooves of thenosing. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the sinker actuating cam rings. aI

In the-operation of circular knitting machines which are provided withradially movable web holders or sinkers,.and which are coi istructed forboth circular and reciplast preceding course of circular work, the

reciprocation of the sinker actuating cam ring which accompanies thereciprocating knittir g has the effect of slightly moving certain of thesinkers lying adjacent to or between the needles which have been thrownout of operation and are holding their stitches. The effect of this isto cause the said sinkers adjacent to or between the stationary needles,which are so operated, to. press upon and recede from the stitches heldonthe stationary needles adjacent thereto,

with the efie'ctfof straining and weakening the yarn forming suchstitches Sometimes the stitches are actually broken, but' more oftenthey are merelyweakened so that after thestocking is knit and hasgone'into the 3 market, these stitches tend to breakand in jure thestocking, and cause dissatisfaction on the part of the purchaser. Thisdificulty has resulted in injury to thousands of pairs of stockings kniton the class of circular knitting machines under consideration, and asthe trade is-now demanding,

and manufacturers are furnishing hosiery in which the front part of theleg andtop of the foot, which is knit by the series of needles thrownout of operation during re ciprocating work, is formed of,,eXtremelyline yarn 'sojasto make an almost transparent fabric, any wear on thestitches formed of this extremely fine-yarn is extremely objectionableand likely to cause serious in ury to the resulting fabric.

1The object of my present invention is to provide a construction whichwill positively hold stationary all of the sinkers adjacent to theneedles which are thrown out of operation during reciprocating work, and

prevent any movement Whatever of such sinkers, so that the stilnhes onthe station ary needles are relieved from this undue,

strain and wear. To this end I provide two separate sinker actuatingcamjrings, one of which operates upon the sinkers adjacent to andbetween the needles which are operative during reciprocating work, andthe other of rocating work, it is found that during re--\wlnch operatesupon tie sinker-s adjacent to ciprocating work, when the needleactuating cams are operating upon only those needles which knit therearhalt of the leg, the sole,

and the heel and toe pockets while the remaining needles of the circularseries re main stationary and hold the stitches of the and between thosergedles which are held stationary during re iprocatnrgwvork, and "I rprovide means WheI shy at the beginning of reciprocating wort the lattersinker cam ring is moved to such position that it will not be furtheroperated at all during reciprocating work, thus permitting it to holdits sinkers absolutely stationary during the entire time that themachine is reciprocating, and until circular work is resumed.

In the embodiment of my invention here-- in shown. which I have selectedfor purpose of illustration, I have shown my inv'r on applied to acircular knitting machine of the well known Kilbourn type, such, forexample, as is covered by U. S. Letters Patent #1081854, dated Feb. 24,1914, in the names of E. E. Kilbourn, \V. E. Smith, and I. IV. Kilbourn.In this typeof machine the needle cylinder is stationary and the needlesare actuated by two rotary cams arranged one above the other, theneedles whichknit the front part of the stocking being provided withnibs engaging the lower cam cylinder, and the needles which knit theback half of the stocking being provided with nibs whiclcam cylinder. Inthe accompanying drawings, I have shown so much of such a knittingmachine as is necessary for an understanding of my present invention.

In Fig. 1, which illustrates a sectional view through the knitting head,1 represents the knitting cylinder which is supported in any desiredmanner and provided with grooves or tricks in which the needles 2 slidevertically. I prefer to form the needles in two parts, the upper partbeing the needle proper, and the lower part being what I term a jack,illustrated at 2, and having a notched portion to engage a projection onthe foot of the needle 2, although the needles might be made in onepiece if desired. and as illustrated in the patent heretofore referredto. In this instance the jacks 2 slide vertically in the lower portion1' of the needle cylinder, the jacks of those needles knitting the rearhalf of the stocking being provided with nibs 2" engaging the upper cam3, w e the jacks of the needles knitting the .ont portion of thestocking are provided with nibs 2 which engage the lower cam cylinder 4,suitable means being provided for rotating the cam cylinders togetherfor circular work and for reciprocating the upper cam cylinder onlyduring reciprocating work, such mechanism being well known and formingno part of'my present invention. p f

5 represents what I term the nosing which is ])|'()\l(l0(1 with radialtricks or grooves to receive the web h ilders'or sinkers 7 and 8, thesinkers or web holders 7 being located adjacent to and between theneedles knitting the real-half of the stocking and actuated by the uppercam cylinder 3 and the sinkers 8 being locatedadjacent to and betweenthe needles knitting the front hall of the stocking and actuated by thelower cam cylinder 4.

9 and I0 represent two actuating cam rings engage the upper mountedrotatably upon the nosing 5, the cam ring 9 being concentric with andlocated within the cam ring 10, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and (3.'l. he cam ring 9 is provided with an annular groove 9 having a camportion 9, and the cam ring 10 is provided with a similar groove 10having a cam portion 10 the, said cam portions being constructed to givethe desired horizontal reciprocation to the sinkers or web holders. Eachof the web holders 7 is provided with a vertically disposed nib 7* whichengages the groove 1O in the outer cam ring 10 and each of the sinkers 8is provided with a nib 8 which engages the groove 9 in the inner camring 9, the said nibs and grooves being so constructed that the webholders are held in proper position and are given their desiredreciprocating movements. Each of the web holders is provided with theusual guiding recess 7 and 8 respectively at its inner end to engage aretaining ring (not shown), and I prefer to provide each of the sinkerswith a groove (7 and 8 respectively) at its outer end, which lattergrooves are engaged by an encircling yielding connection 11 preferablyin the form of a very fine spiral spring eX- tending entirely around theseries of web holders, and having its ends connected so that the spring,which is under slight tension, tends to hold all of the sinkers in andmove them to their inner positions, said sinkers or web holders beingmoved outwardly only by the cam. The spring may however be dispensedwith and both the inward and outward movements of the sinkers or webholders be produced by the engagement of the sinker nibs and camportions 9" and 10 of the respective cam ring. Mechanism is provided forimparting the desired rotary motion to both of these cam rings 9 and 10during circular work and to the cam ring 10 only during reciprocatingwork, which 'may he of any desired character which will accomplish thisresult. In the present instance I have shown the outer cam ring 10provided with lugs 10 carrying adjustable stops 10 between which lies abracket or arm 3 operatively connected with the upper camcylinder 3, forimparting motion to the outer sinker ring 10 from the upper camcylinder, and I also provide the cam rings 9 and 10 with co-actingdriving lugs or projections, the ring 10 being 'pros vided in thisinstance on its upper tacefwith a horizontal plate 12 extending over theinner ring 9, while the ring 9 is provided with a similar plate 1i)extending out\ 'ardly over the ring 10 (see Figs. 6 and 7), so that whenthe outer ring is moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6, the lug12 will engage the lug 13 and the two rings will move to' getheri Thearrow in Fig. 6 represents the direction in which the outer ring 10 isdriven from the arm 3 during circular \vork and it will thus be seenthat when the machine is operating to produce circular knitting, atwhich time both cams 3 and 4 are being driven in the same direction, thesinker cam rings 9 and. 10 will both be moved simultaneously andcircularly in the direction of the arrow. When reciprocating work iscommenced, if the ring 9 is not already in position, the first movementof the cam cylinder, if it be in the directionv of the arrow in Fig. 6,will carry the innerring 9 with the ring 10 as far as the movement ofthe outer sinker ring 10 extends,

and as the ring 10 is then moved in the-opring 9 and the two rings willagain operate together.

It will thus be seen that during reciprocating work thesinkers or webholders 8 which have their nibs 8 engaging the inner,

ring 9 will be positively held from any movement whatever and all thestrain or wear upon the threads forming the stitches of the lastpreceding circular course held on theneedles adjacent to said sinkers 8is avoided, that there is no weakening of the fabric at any point insuch course and the objectionable result heretofore referred to causedby the reciprocation of the sinkers eilecting a sawing action on thestitches held on the stationary needles is entirely obviated.

\Vhile I have shown my invention as applied to a machine of the Kilbourntype in which two separate'cams are employed for actuating the needles,I do not limit my in- ,vention to this type of machine, as it is equallyapplicable to other types of machine, in which only a single camcylinder is employed, and it is also applicable to machines,

in which the cam cylinder or cylinders is'or are held stationary whilethe needle cylin der rotates.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a circularstocking knitting machine,

the combination with a-knitting cylinder, a

circular series of needles, and stitch forming needle actuating means,of a series of movable web holdersassociated with a por tion of theneedles, a second series of web holders associated with a second portionoi the needles, actuating mechanism for engaging only the web holders ofthe first mentioncd series, separate actuating mechanism for engagingonly the web holders, of the second mentioned series, and means forthrowing one of said separate actuating mechanisms out of operation,whereby neither of said separate actuating mechanisms o ratively engagesthe web holders actuate mechanisms. Y

2. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aknitting cylinder, a circular series of needles and stitch formingneedle actuating means, of a series of movable web holders associatedwith the needles which remain stationary during reciprocating work, asecond series of web holders associated with the needles which areoperated during reciprocating work, means operable durlng clrcular andreciprocating work for actuating the web'holders of the last men-,tioned series, separate means for actuatingthe web holders of the firstmentioned series,

by the other of said actuating and means for connecting said actuatingmeans for both series during circularwork only. i

3. In a' circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aknitting cylinder, a circular-series of needles andstitch forming needleactuating means, of a series of movable web holders associated with theneedles which remain stationary during reciprocating work, a secondseries of web holders as sociated with the needles which are operatedduring reciprocating work, the web holders of each series being providedwith actuating nibs, an actuating device operable during circular workonly, provided with means for engaging the nibs of the work holders ofthe first mentioned series, and a separate actuating device operableduring circular and re-.

ciprocating wrk for engaging the nibs oi the work holders of the lastmentioned series.

-'l. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aknitting cylinder, a circular series of needles and stitch formingneedle actuating means, of a series of mov able web holders associatedwith the needles which remain stationary during reciprocating work, asecond series of web holders associated with the needles which areoperated during reciprocating Work, the web holders of each series beingprovided with. actuating nibs, an actuating cam ring engaging the nibsof the web holders of the first men tioned series only, 'a second camring engaging the nibs of the web holders of the last mentioned seriesonly, means for imparting motion to said second. cam ring during bothcircular and reciprocating work, and means for connecting said rings forjoint rotation during circular work only.

5. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aknitting cylinder, a circular series of needles and stitch formingneedle actuating means, of a series'of .movable web holders associatedwith the needles which remain stationary during reciprocating work, asecond series-of web holders associated with theneedles which areoperated during reciprocating work, the web holders of each series beingprovided with actuating nibs, an actuating cam ring engaging the nibs ofthe web holders of the first men tioned series only, a second cam ringengaging the nibs of the web holders of the last mentioned series only,means for imparting motion to said second cam ring during. both circularand recipro-ating work, said cam rings being provided the one with apart in the path of a part secured to the other, wherew the said partswill engage and se cure the joint operation of said cam rings duringcircular work, and means for rotating said second cam ring duringcircular work, and for reciprocating said ring during reciprocatingwork.

G. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aknitting cylinder, a circular series of needles and stitch formingneedle actuating means, ofa series of movable web holders associatedwith the needles which remain stationary during reciprocating work, asecond series of web holders associated with the needles which areoperated during reciprocating work, the web holders of each series beingprovided with actuating nibs, an. actuating cam ring engaging the nibsof the web holders of the first mentioned series only, a second cam ringengaging the nibs of the web holdersof the last mentioned series only,means for imparting motion to said second cam ring during both circularand reciprocating work, said second cam ring being provided with adriving lug, and the first mentioned cani ring being provided with aprojection in the path of said driving lug for driving it from thesecond cam ring during circular work and means for rotating said secondcani ring during circular work, and for reciprocating it duringreciprocating work.

7. In a circular stockingknittingmachine.

the. combination with a knitting cylinder, a

circular series of needles and stitch forming needle actuating means, ofa series of mmable web holders associated with the needles which remainstationary during reciprocating work, a second series of web holdersassociated with the needles which are operated duringreciprocating work,the web holders being eachprovided with an actuating nib the nibs of theweb holders of one series beinglocated at a greater distance from thecenter of the needle cylinder than the nibs of the web holders of theother series, a cairi ring provided with a cam groove engaging the nibsof one series of web holders, and a second cam ring of differentdiameter having a groove engaging the nibs of the other series of webholders. means for securing the. opcrati .i of one of said cam ringsduring circular work and reciprocating work,

and inea.is for securing the operation of the other cani ring duringcircular work only.

8. In a circular stockingkinttingmachine, the. combination with aknitting cylinder, a

circular series of needles and stitch forming needle actuating means, ofa series of movable web holders associated with the needles which remainstationary during reciprocating work, a second series of web holdersassecond cam ring of different diameter lia'ving a groove engaging thenibs of the other series of web holders, means for securing theoperation of one of said rings during circular work and reciprocating,work, and coacting devices on said rings forsecuring the jointoperation of said rings during circular worl 9. In a circular stockingknitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder, a circular camoperable during circular and reciprocating work operatively engagingcertain of said needles, a separate stitch cam, operable during circularwork only, opcratively engaging the other needles of ,the circular 5series, of movable web holders, each provided with an actuating nib. thenibs of the work-holders associated with the needles which remainstationary during reciprocat ing work being located at a differentdistance from the center of the needle cylinder r'rom the nibs of theother web holders, two separate cain rings, each having a;

' groove for engaging the nibs of one series of web holders, anactuating part on the re- '105' ciprocating cam operatively engaging oneof said rings for securing its operation during circular andreciprocating. ,WOX{, and operative connections between said rings forsecuring their joint operation during circular work. 10. In a circularstocking knitting machine, the coinoination with a needle cyl-. inder, acircular series of" needles, a circular series of radially movable webholders, each 1,1 provided with an actuating nib, the series of webholders associated with the'needles which remain stationary duringreciprocating work havingtheir nibs at a different distance from thecenter of the needle cyliiider from the nibs of the other series of webholders. two separate cam rings of ditl'crent dianu s. each providedwith a cam groove engaging the nibs of the work holders of one seriesonly. means for ("lriving one of said cam rings during circular andrecipro eating work. and means for securing the joint operation of saidrings during circalar work.

11. In a circular stocking knitting inadistance from the 75 series ofneedles, a -kn itting 90 chine, the combination with a knittingcylinder, a circular series of needles, and stitch forming needleactuating means, of a series of movable web holders, associated with aportion of the needles, a second series of web holders associated with asecond portion of the needles, said web holders being each rovided withan actuating nib, the nibs of the web holders of one series beinglocated at a difierent distance from the axis of the needle cylinderfrom those of the other series, separate actuating cams located atdifferent distances from the axis of the cylinder, each constructed toengage the nibs of one series only of said web holders, and means forthrowing one of said cams out of operation.

12. In a circular stocking knitting machine, the combination with aneedle cylin der, a circular series of needles mounted therein, andstitch forming needle actuating means, of a series of radially movableweb holders associated with a portion of the needles, and a secondseries of movable web the web holders of the series engaged one seriesof web holders being located at a different distance from the axis ofthe needle cylinder from those of the other series, a cam ringsimultaneously engaging the nibs of one series of web holders only, aseparate cam ring simultaneously engaging the nibs of the other seriesof web holders only, means for establishing relative rotation betweenthe needle cylinder and cam rings, and means for permitting oneof saidcam rings to remain stationary with respect to the needle cylinder, andthereby hold all and operated by it from radial movement.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM E. SMITH.

Witnesses CLIFFORD S. VAN VVINKLE, FRED M. THICKSTUN.

